Take 3: Season for Love Review (Year of the Dog Double Feature Part 2)

On August 26, 2018 By 18cinemalane1 Comment

For the second part of my Year of the Dog Double Feature for Often Off Topic’s Dog Day Blogathon, I chose to review a movie that was released in 2018, the Year of the Dog! Because Hallmark was premiering a brand-new movie this past weekend, I decided to include Season for Love in this Double Feature. When I first heard about this movie, I will admit that it was not one of my most anticipated movies out of these five summer themed films. To me, the plot sounded a lot like other stories that have been seen on the Hallmark Channel. However, BBQ cooking has never been featured in a Hallmark movie before and Texas has rarely been the primary location for any Hallmark production. So, like I do with every movie I review, I watched it with low expectations and an open mind. Want to find out my opinion of Season for Love? Square dance your way to my review to find out!

Season for Love poster — *Season for Love* poster created by Crown Media Family Networks and Hallmark Channel. Image found at https://www.crownmediapress.com/Shows/PRShowDetail?SiteID=142&FeedBoxID=845&NodeID=302&ShowType=&ShowTitle=Season+for+Love

Things I liked about the film:

The acting: I thought the acting in Season for Love was good! Marc Blucas and Autumn Reeser really shined in this movie with performances that appeared genuine and versatile! Not only did the lead actors give a memorable performance, the supporting actors did as well. Shelley Thompson was a stand-out performer in this movie, her portrayal of Jo Dawson was so pleasant to watch on-screen! Even Lola Flanery gave a very believable performance, especially for being the only young actor within the main cast!

The on-screen chemistry: Though this was Marc and Autumn’s first time starring in a Hallmark movie together, their on-screen chemistry came across as very believable! I think what helped was that Marc’s and Autumn’s acting talents complimented one another. Marc and Autumn’s characters appeared as if they truly got along, like their relationship on-screen was genuine. I’m hoping that Marc and Autumn are cast in another Hallmark movie together in the near future!

The incorporation of BBQ cooking: Season for Love is not the first Hallmark movie that features cooking within the main plot. However, this is the first Hallmark movie that showcases BBQ cooking. I liked the way the BBQ competition was filmed, as the process of preparing a BBQ meal was shown enough to satisfy the interest of the audience. I also liked learning about the different ingredients that can go into BBQ because it felt informative while being entertaining.

2018 Dog Day Blogathon Banner — Offical Dog Day Blogathon banner created by Allie from Often Off Topic. Image found at https://oftenofftopic.wordpress.com/2018/08/08/announcing-the-dog-day-blogathon/

What I didn’t like about the film:

Predictability: Most of Hallmark’s movies have a certain amount of predictability to them. But for a film that showcased new ideas (like BBQ cooking and a location in Texas), I was hoping Season for Love’s plot would contain more originality. A lot of story-points that were written into this movie were ones that I’ve seen in several other Hallmark movies. Because of this, it made this movie feel very predictable.

Situations happening too quickly: In Season for Love, there were about three situations that happened too quickly. One example is when Autumn’s character, Tyler, tells Corey, Marc’s character, that revisiting their relationship might not be a good idea. That same night, after she sees one of her daughter’s drawings, Tyler visits Corey to apologize for doubting their relationship. Moments like these seemed to interrupt the overall flow within the film.

Something was missing: Season for Love made me feel the same way Love at First Dance did: all of the pieces for this to be good movie were there, but something special felt like it was missing. Because of this, I wasn’t able to connect with this movie like I had wanted to.

216395-P0VNUU-640 — Year of the Dog image created by Freepik at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/red-golden-chinese-new-year-banners_1611242.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/banner”>Banner vector created by Freepik</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

My overall impression:

Season for Love was a decent movie. Though I did enjoy watching this movie, I still like Pearl in Paradise more. Since Season for Love was the last movie in the “Summer Nights” line-up, I can now give my complete and honest opinion about the line-up as a whole. As a “Summer Nights” line-up, the overall quality felt about the same as last year’s. As a line-up in general, this was a little stronger than the other line-ups on Hallmark Channel so far. There’s one more line-up left before the Christmas movies start premiering: Fall Harvest. I’m hoping these movies and the line-up as a whole end Hallmark’s seasonal movie collections on a positive note, especially since Hallmark has plenty more stories to tell. Thank you to everyone who read my Year of the Dog Double Feature and a special thank you to Allie from Often Off Topic for letting me join the Dog Day Blogathon. This definitely encouraged me to seek out other blogathons and let my creativity go as far as it will let me.

Overall score: 7.4 out of 10

What did you think of Hallmark Channel’s “Summer Nights” line-up this year? What was your favorite 2018 “Summer Nights” movie? Let me know in the comment section!

Have fun at the movies!

Sally Silverscreen

Take 3: Logan Lucky Review (Year of the Dog Double Feature Part 1)

On August 26, 2018December 31, 2018 By 18cinemalane1 Comment

Often Off Topic’s Dog Day Blogathon is the first blogathon I have ever participated in! Because this particular blogathon’s theme is dogs and film, I wanted to make a contribution that was unique and creative. So, I decided to write a double feature movie review that correlated with the Year of the Dog. When I was thinking about which two movies to write about, my favorite MCU superhero, Bucky Barnes, came to mind. The actor who portrays Bucky, Sebastian Stan, was born in 1982, which was the Year of the Dog. Also, Sebastian’s birthday falls in August, the same month that National Dog Day happens to fall in. With those facts in mind, I chose to review Logan Lucky for the first part of this double feature movie review. I had not seen this film prior to reviewing it, but I do remember when it was being advertised. After seeing Logan Lucky achieve a 92 to 93 percent on Rotten Tomatos, I watched the film with an open mind and low expectations. Did I like this movie? Cruise through my review to find out!

Logan Lucky poster — *Logan Lucky* poster created by Fingerprint Releasing and Bleecker Street. Image found at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Logan_Lucky.png

Things I liked about the film:

The acting: I thought the cast in Logan Lucky was good. Daniel Craig’s performance was the most impressive, as he disappeared into his role to bring a character to life that stood out from the rest. Accents in a movie can be hit or miss, but all the actors, in this film, portraying a character with an accent really pulled it off in a way that added believable to their characters!

Connectivity of the characters: At the beginning of this film, there were several characters that were introduced. This brought up questions of who these characters were and what their significance to each other was. As the film goes on, the connections between these characters and the impact of their interactions was interesting to watch. It reminded me, a little bit, of The Christmas Hope.

What I didn’t like about the film:

A very slow pace: Despite the fact that Logan Lucky is a heist film, the pace of this movie was rather slow. This not only made the film feel boring, it made the plot feel more drawn out that it might have been intended.

Disconnection of the plots: There are about four plots featured in Logan Lucky. But, the connection between the subplots and the main plot (the heist itself and preparation surrounding it) was absent. Because of this disconnection, the three subplots felt so separate from the main story, that their placement in the film didn’t really feel significant. One of these subplots made me question why it was featured in the film at all.

The under-utilization of Sebastian Stan: As I mentioned in this review’s introduction, Sebastian’s involvement in this movie was one of the reasons why I chose to review Logan Lucky for my Year of the Dog double feature. However, out of all the actors that were cast in this film, Sebastian was the most under-utilized. His character, Dayton White, felt like he was featured in the film just for the sake of it. Dayton’s subplot was not only weak, it also had no connection to the main plot whatsoever. When I first learned that Sebastian had been cast in Logan Lucky and what role he would be portraying, I had speculated that Dayton could be a long-lost relative of the Logan family and the Logan family kidnapped him in an attempt to receive more money. Sadly, my aforementioned speculation sounds a lot more interesting than the subplot Dayton was given in this film.

Loads of exposition: On 18 Cinema Lane, I’ve mentioned before that exposition is an important component to any story. But, there is such a thing as having too much exposition. In Logan Lucky, there was about 40 minutes of it. This made the first quarter of the film feel like it dragged.

No excitement: In almost every heist or action film, there is a certain amount of excitement that keeps the audience invested in the movie. Whether it is adrenaline or an intriguing concept, these things help viewers stay on the edge of their seat as they watch everything unfold onscreen. Logan Lucky, unfortunately, had none of those aforementioned things. Even when the actual heist was taking place, the movie felt very dull. The lack of excitement in this film contributed to the movie feeling boring.

My overall impression:

Logan Lucky was so bad, I couldn’t finish watching the movie (even though I had 30 minutes left of run-time). This is, honestly, the worst and most boring heist film I’ve ever seen. But, as I was watching this movie, I could see that Sebastian was trying the best he could with the limited amount of acting material he was given. Even though Logan Lucky was a dud, I’m still looking forward to seeing which movies, outside of the MCU, Sebastian chooses to appear in. If I come across a film starring Sebastian Stan that, to me, sounds interesting, I will definitely check it out! If you are a Bucky fan like myself and appreciate Sebastian’s acting abilities as well what he brings, talent wise, to the MCU, please do yourself a favor and don’t watch Logan Lucky. Even if I haven’t seen some of them and don’t know, exactly, which ones they are, I have a good feeling there are movies out there starring Sebastian Stan that are better than Logan Lucky, whether or not the film is MCU affiliated.

Overall score: 4.7 out of 10

Have you seen Logan Lucky? What is your favorite movie that Sebastian Stan has starred in? Share your thoughts in the comment section!

Have fun at the movies!

Sally Silverscreen

Take 3: Garage Sale Mysteries: Picture A Murder Review

On August 22, 2018August 22, 2018 By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

Thanks for joining me for my review of Garage Sale Mysteries: Picture A Murder, the third film in Garage Sale Mystery Month. What sets the Garage Sale Mystery series apart from the other series on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries is the creativity surrounding each item that Jennifer finds, as well as the stories that can, potentially, be attached to those items. This has especially been evident in the films that have premiered in Garage Sale Mystery Month so far. The first two Garage Sale Mystery movies are about an intricate puzzle box and an interesting mask. Each of these items were connected to a murder mystery that was unique to the film they were featured in. Now, in Garage Sale Mysteries: Picture A Murder, the object that Jennifer comes across is a vintage camera. Can this camera and the mystery associated with it continue Garage Sale Mystery’s creative streak? Read my review of Garage Sale Mysteries: Picture A Murder to figure this mystery out!

GSM Picture A Murder poster — *Garage Sale Mystery: Picture A Murder* poster created by Crown Media Family Networks and Hallmark Movies & Mysteries. Image found at https://www.crownmediapress.com/Shows/PRShowDetail?SiteID=143&FeedBoxID=845&NodeID=302&ShowType=&ShowTitle=Garage+Sale+Mysteries+Picture+A+Murder.

Things I liked about the film:

The acting: With everyone giving a good performance, I thought the cast of Garage Sale Mysteries: Picture A Murder was talented! Sarah Strange, one of the series’ starring cast members, has always been a great addition to the Garage Sale Mystery films. Not only was her performance in Garage Sale Mysteries: Picture A Murder versatile and convincing, but her comedic delivery was great! I was also impressed with Edward Ruttle’s performance in this film. Edward’s portrayal of Tony, the murder victim’s nephew, contained so much realism, there were moments throughout this film where I found myself feeling bad for Tony. I’m hoping that, one day, Edward and Max Lloyd-Jones are cast in a Hallmark movie together where they get to portray brothers. This is because when Edward first appeared on-screen in Garage Sale Mysteries: Picture A Murder, he looked so similar to Max that I actually thought Max was cast in a Garage Sale Mystery film.

The mystery: In most mystery films on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, the protagonist is one of the first people to find the murder victim’s deceased body. This was not the case for Garage Sale Mysteries: Picture A Murder. Jennifer was nowhere near the crime scene when the murder victim’s body was first discovered. I thought this was an interesting choice for the creative team behind this movie to make. Another interesting creative decision that was seen in this movie was having a family member of the murder victim working alongside Jennifer, to a certain extent, to solve the mystery within the film’s main plot. More often than not, the protagonist is kept at a certain distance between themselves and individuals that are identified as family members of the murder victim or suspects of the crime. Having Tony, the murder victim’s nephew, help Jennifer solve the case added more intrigue to the primary plot.

The humor: In my review of Garage Sale Mysteries: The Pandora’s Box Murders, I talked about how the humor that is found within the Garage Sale Mystery films is one of the highlights to the series. The humor within Garage Sale Mysteries: Picture A Murder certainly adds to the continuity of the series! Earlier in this review, I said that Sarah Strange’s comedic delivery was great. Not only that, but her on-screen interactions between her and Lori Loughlin are delightful and humorous! Moments like these are what helps keep the balance within each Garage Sale Mystery film between the light-hearted and darker tones that are found in this series.

Camera — Retro camera image created by Brgfx at freepik.com. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/banner”>Banner vector created by Brgfx – Freepik.com</a>. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/camera_1552643.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

What I didn’t like about the film:

Lack of suspense: Usually, a mystery film on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries contains a certain amount of suspense that maintains the intrigue of the story. This helps the audience stay motivated to follow along with the protagonist and figure out who committed the crime. In Garage Sale Mysteries: Picture A Murder, however, there were only two moments throughout the film that, to me, felt suspenseful. One of these moments was the climax. The rest of the film didn’t feel as exciting as what I’m used to in the Garage Sale Mystery series.

Logan’s subplot: In my Garage Sale Mysteries: The Pandora’s Box Murders review, I mentioned that Logan’s subplot was one of the things I didn’t like about the movie. The subplot that Logan was given in Garage Sale Mysteries: Picture A Murder was another one that I didn’t like. In this movie, Logan has the opportunity to publish his paper in the school newspaper, but refuses for unknown reasons. While this subplot wasn’t bad, it felt a little too drawn out.

The absence of Ryan: I mentioned in my Garage Sale Mysteries: The Mask Murder review that Ryan being under-utilized in the film was a negative aspect to the movie overall. Because of this, I was hoping he would receive more screen-time in the next movie and train alongside Detective Lynwood, since Ryan did express interest in becoming a detective. Unfortunately, Ryan was nowhere to be found throughout this entire movie. Also, no one ever mentioned his whereabouts, not even Hannah. Ryan’s absence broke a level of continuity within the four Garage Sale Mystery films in Garage Sale Mystery Month.

Female detective with magnifying glass — Female detective image created by Brgfx at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/female-detective-with-magnifying-glass_1250814.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/background”>Background vector created by Brgfx – Freepik.com</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

My overall impression:

As good as Garage Sale Mysteries: Picture A Murder was, it was not as good as the previous film. To me, the four Garage Sale Mystery films within last year’s Garage Sale Mystery Month seemed to get stronger as August went on. This year, I don’t think that will be the case. I will admit it is a little disappointing, especially since the Garage Sale Mystery series is one of my favorites on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries. However, I’m not concerned about the future of this series. We still have one more movie left in this year’s Garage Sale Mystery Month. Also, the Garage Sale Mystery series is the longest running movie series in Hallmark Movies & Mysteries’ current collection of mystery films. I have a feeling we will see a Garage Sale Mystery Month next year and I’m hoping the next Garage Sale Mystery film meets or exceeds my expectations.

Overall score: 7.5 out of 10

What are your thoughts on this year’s Garage Sale Mystery Month so far? Would you like to see Garage Sale Mystery Month return in 2019? Let me know in the comment section!

Have fun at the movies!

Sally Silverscreen

Take 3: Pearl in Paradise Review

On August 19, 2018August 19, 2018 By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

Now that we’re halfway through Hallmark’s “Summer Nights” line-up, I can give you my honest opinion about this collection of movies. For the most part, the “Summer Nights” line-up has put style over substance. The first three movies; Love on Safari, A Summer to Remember, and Love at Sea (which I just reviewed last week) have all featured amazing locations (South Africa, Fiji, and a Royal Caribbean cruise) where Hallmark filmed for the first time. However, each film’s plot felt sub-par at best. When these movies were first announced, I immediately picked Pearl in Paradise as the “Summer Nights” movie I was looking forward to the most! The idea of a Hallmark Channel movie incorporating a mystery into one of their film’s main plots instantly caught my attention. Having Fiji as the backdrop to this particular story raised my level of excitement for the movie! But, I kept my expectations for Pearl in Paradise low because I didn’t know if I would enjoy the movie. Do you want to solve the mystery of what score I gave this film? Read my review of Pearl in Paradise in order to close this case!

Pearl in Paradise poster — *Pearl in Paradise* poster image created by Crown Media Family Networks and Hallmark Channel. Image found at https://www.hallmarkchannelpress.com/Shows/PRShowDetail?SiteID=142&FeedBoxID=845&NodeID=302&ShowType=&ShowTitle=Pearl+in+Paradise.

Things I liked about the film:

The acting: I thought the cast of Pearl in Paradise was talented! Jill Wagner’s and Kristoffer Polaha’s performance was very well executed and believable, with both of their talents complimenting each other! Not only did I like each of the lead actors’ performances, I also liked the performances of the secondary and side characters. One of my favorite characters in Pearl in Paradise was Daniela, portrayed by Naomi Sequeira. Daniela was such a positive and joyful character whose on-screen presence was a pleasant addition to this story! Naomi’s acting abilities were showcased great in this film and I hope she can appear in more Hallmark productions in the future!

The on-screen chemistry: Jill and Kristoffer are great actors together and individually! They also have what it takes, talent wise, to lead a Hallmark project. Pearl in Paradise really does highlight that, as their delivery of well-written banter was spot-on! To me, Jill and Kristoffer’s on-screen relationship felt authentic and believable, making it seem like they were truly getting along and becoming better friends. For their first time starring in a Hallmark movie together, I think they both pulled off a great performance!

The story: In my introduction, I mentioned that the film’s story excited me the most about Pearl in Paradise. This story was not only a highlight to this film, but it also helped set Pearl in Paradise apart from the other films in the “Summer Nights” line-up! The plot surrounding the mystery of the pearl and the journey to find it was engaging and intriguing! Pearl in Paradise’s story made me feel like I was watching a Hallmark Movies & Mysteries film, where the film’s mystery kept me guessing until the reveal. Pearl in Paradise’s story was also well-written from start to finish!

Pink travel backpack image created by Pikisuperstar at freepik.com. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/watercolor”>Watercolor vector created by Pikisuperstar – Freepik.com</a>. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/travel-lettering-with-watercolor-pink-backpack_2686676.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

What I didn’t like about the film:

An inconsistent pace: Before the main characters’ hike to find the pearl started, the film’s pace felt inconsistent. Because of this, some scenes lasted longer than other scenes, making these longer scenes feel slower and a little too drawn out. Once the journey to find the pearl started, the overall pace became more consistent.

Too much build-up: As I’ve just mentioned, the pace of the film became more consistent when the character’s hike started. Before this journey begins, however, there is about 40 minutes of build-up leading to the event. Though the build-up was a necessary component to the story, it didn’t add any excitement to the journey within the film.

Loads of exposition: Exposition is always needed in a story. Too much exposition in a certain part of a movie can affect someone’s enjoyment of a film. In Pearl in Paradise, there was a lot of exposition in about the first 15 minutes of the film. This made the beginning of the film feel slower than intended.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA — Fiji island image created by Sebastian Szlasa at freeimages.com. “FreeImages.com/Sebastian Szlasa.”

My overall impression:

Pearl in Paradise is, so far, my favorite movie from this year’s “Summer Nights” line-up! While the first three movies in this line-up have chosen to focus more on the setting than the story, Pearl in Paradise found a way to balance the beauty of Fiji and the compelling nature of the film’s plot. Because mystery stories are a rarity in Hallmark Channel movies, it was a treat to find such a good mystery story in this movie! If Hallmark decided to give Pearl in Paradise a sequel, I would like to see a cross-over between this movie and A Summer to Remember, especially since both movies were filmed in Fiji and have at least one character who is passionate about photography. Though I already gave my opinion on the “Summer Nights” line-up so far, there is still one more movie left to premiere: Season for Love. After I watch that movie, I can see if my opinion on this line-up remains the same or changes in any way.

Overall score: 8 out of 10

Have you seen Pearl in Paradise? What is your favorite “Summer Nights” movie so far? Share your thoughts in the comment section!

Have fun at the movies!

Sally Silverscreen

Word on the Street: Production news for three upcoming Hallmark movies!

On August 17, 2018 By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

We are only two months away from Hallmark’s “Countdown to Christmas” line-up! However, the distance of time hasn’t stopped upcoming Hallmark movies from being discovered and reported on as movie news. While several Christmas themed projects have been listed on the website, What’s Filming, one of those projects is a movie that I’ve recently talked about here on 18 Cinema Lane! Projects relating to the Christmas holiday are not the only note-worthy topics that can be found on the film and television website. Two upcoming movies from Hallmark Movies & Mysteries were also listed on the website as well. I can only speak for myself when I say that this is exciting news, especially since both of these movie projects are related to mystery movie series that are less than three years old! In this post, I will discuss each of these projects in their own separate paragraphs and provide as much information about them as I was able to find. As of August 2018, Hallmark has not made any official announcements about any of these films. This means that no premiere dates and plots have been released yet. Now, let’s start talking about some Hallmark movie news!

Movie process chart created by Vectorpocket at freepik.com <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/vector-set-of-isometric-illustrations-making-movies-and-watching-a-movie-in-the-cinema_1215936.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a> <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/business”>Business vector created by Vectorpocket – Freepik.com</a> Image found at freepik.com

Last week, in a Word on the Street post, I reported that it looked like the Hallmark Channel movie, Christmas in Evergreen, would likely receive a sequel. That possibility is now starting to look even more likely. According to What’s Filming, Christmas in Evergreen: Letters to Santa was added to the list of upcoming projects for the Vancouver and British Columbia area. This movie will not only be in production from August 20^th to September 7^th, but the only cast member that is officially attached to the project, so far, is Holly Robinson Peete (one of the stars of last year’s Christmas in Evergreen)! Based on this production schedule, it looks like Christmas in Evergreen: Letters to Santa could premiere during this year’s “Countdown to Christmas” line-up after all. But, as I’ve mentioned before, Hallmark has not made any official announcements about this film yet. If and when Hallmark does announce any information about Christmas in Evergreen: Letters to Santa, I’m guessing it might be brought up during Hallmark Channel’s preview special for their “Countdown to Christmas” movies in October.

Here is the link to What’s Filming’s “Upcoming” page for the Vancouver and British Columbia area: http://www.whatsfilming.ca/upcoming/ (if you visit this page after August 20th, Christmas in Evergreen: Letters to Santa will be moved to the “In Production” page)

180564-OWVPWB-850 — Adorable Santa image created by Freepik at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/christmas-background-with-funny-santa_1324597.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/background”>Background vector created by Freepik</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

At Hallmark’s Winter TCA Event in January, one of the major announcements that came from Crown Media Family Networks was an upcoming movie project called “The Crossword Mystery”. In this announcement, it was revealed that Lacey Chabert and Brennan Elliott would star in the film. On What’s Filming’s page of upcoming projects in the Toronto and Ontario area, this aforementioned movie was recently added to that list, currently titled as “Crossword Mysteries”. Also, Lacey Chabert and Brennan Elliott are the only two actors, so far, that are officially attached to the project. “Crossword Mysteries” is scheduled to go into production from August 27^th to September 14^th, so I’m guessing the movie might premiere in Fall of 2018 or early 2019. However, Hallmark has not given “Crossword Mysteries” an official release date yet.

Here is the link to What’s Filming’s “Upcoming” page for the Toronto and Ontario area: http://www.whatsfilming.ca/upcoming-toronto-ontario/ (if you visit this page after August 27th, “Crossword Mysteries” will be moved to the “In Production” page)

Here is the link to Hallmark’s announcement about “Crossword Mysteries”: https://www.crownmediapress.com/PressReleaseList/?SiteID=142&NodeID=144&page=10 (look for the press release titled “2018 Winter TCA – 01/13/18” or “LACEY CHABERT AND BRENNAN ELLIOTT STAR IN ‘THE CROSSWORD MYSTERY’ AN ALL-NEW HALLMARK MOVIES & MYSTERIES ORIGINAL”)

sunday-s-crossword-1238083-1279x852 — Crossword puzzle image created by jaylopez at freeimages.com. “FreeImages.com/JayLopez.”

Speaking of upcoming mystery films, it looks like another movie will be added to the Emma Fielding series! On What’s Filming, this upcoming movie was added to the list of projects in the Vancouver and British Columbia area that are currently in production. The title for the next Emma Fielding movie is currently listed as “More Better Than Death: An Emma Fielding Mystery” on What’s Filming and “Emma Fielding Mysteries: More Bitter Than Death” on Creative BC. Despite the differences in the title, the movie is currently filming until August 31^st. Courtney Thorne-Smith and James Tupper, both of the series’ starring actors, have been officially attached to the project. While Hallmark has not given the film an official premiere date yet, I think the next Emma Fielding movie will be released this Fall or in early 2019.

Here is the link to What’s Filming’s “In Production” page for the Vancouver and British Columbia area: http://www.whatsfilming.ca/inproduction/ (if you visit this page after August 31st, “More Better Than Death: An Emma Fielding Mystery” will be taken off this list)

Here is a link to the “In Production” page on Creative BC’s website: https://www.creativebc.com/crbc-services/motion-picture-services/in-production/films.php?type=mow (if you visit this page after August 31st, “Emma Fielding Mysteries: More Bitter Than Death” may be taken off this list)

21-150-01 — Magnifying fingerprints image created by Balintseby at freepik.com. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/glass”>Glass vector created by Balintseby – Freepik.com</a>. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/fingerprint-investigation_789253.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

What you do think about these pieces of movie news? Are you excited about any of these films? Let me know in the comment section!

Have fun at the movies!

Sally Silverscreen

Take 3: Garage Sale Mysteries: The Mask Murder Review

On August 13, 2018 By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

Welcome back to my second review for this year’s Garage Sale Mystery Month! I’m so glad that guests of 18 Cinema Lane have taken an interest in not just the Garage Sale Mystery series, but other films on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries as well. I was pleasantly surprised when my Garage Sale Mysteries: The Pandora’s Box Murders review received a total of 55 views and counting! It seemed that people enjoyed that review to the point where it encouraged me to review Garage Sale Mysteries: The Mask Murder, the second part of Garage Sale Mystery Month. I will admit that when I read the official synopsis for the film, it reminded me of Garage Sale Mystery: All That Glitters quite a bit. Because both films have a plot that centers around a storage facility, I was hoping that this latest Garage Sale Mystery film wasn’t a rehash of story material that has already been told. Did a brand-new plot emerge from a “tried and true” story idea? Read my review of Garage Sale Mysteries: The Mask Murder for this answer and my opinion on the film to be revealed!

GSM The Mask Murder poster — *Garage Sale Mysteries: The Mask Murder* poster created by Crown Media Family Networks and Hallmark Movies & Mysteries. Image found at https://www.crownmediapress.com/Shows/PRShowDetail?SiteID=143&FeedBoxID=845&NodeID=302&ShowType=&ShowTitle=Garage+Sale+Mysteries+The+Mask+Murder.

Things I liked about the film:

The acting: One of the various elements of the Garage Sale Mystery series that has remained consistent since the very beginning has been the overall quality of the acting performances. This is especially the case for the second part in this year’s Garage Sale Mystery Month! The cast of Garage Sale Mysteries: The Mask Murder was good! Every actress and actor pulled off a memorable performance that made me enjoy the film even more. All of the cast members shined in this movie, including those who portrayed minor characters. Michael P. Northey and Jeffrey Ballard both portrayed side characters in Garage Sale Mysteries: The Mask Murder. However, both of them gave such a strong performance, bringing the right amount of emotion and believability to their respective roles.

The mystery: In Garage Sale Mysteries: The Mask Murder, the plot that involved the titular mystery was really well-written! As I’ve said before, I had my concerns about this film’s plot feeling like a rehashed version of Garage Sale Mystery: All That Glitters. But, Garage Sale Mysteries: The Mask Murder’s story was different from that film, with new characters and subplots that made the movie feel unique within this series. I won’t give anything away if you haven’t watched this film yet, but the reveal of the guilty character totally caught me by surprise!

Hannah’s subplot: The subplot that Hannah was given in Garage Sale Mysteries: The Mask Murder was much better than her subplot in the previous Garage Sale Mystery film. In the second film within Garage Sale Mystery Month, Hannah and her dad, Jason, joined Hannah’s sorority in a contest where they were required to build a tiny house for the homeless. I found this storyline to be very interesting and enjoyable! The concept of taking a relevant idea, like tiny houses, and pairing it with a volunteer opportunity was very clever! Also, I liked how more than one character was able to share this subplot and have a purpose for being present within that subplot. Looking back on this story, I’m really surprised that the Fixer Upper Mystery series didn’t feature a plot like this in one of their movies.

175863-OW5XUJ-45 — Mask with smiling face image created by Freepik at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/white-plain-mask-for-halloween_1321722.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/background”>Background image created by Freepik</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

What I didn’t like about the film:

Lack of a subplot for Logan: In my review of Garage Sale Mysteries: The Pandora’s Box Murders, I shared that Logan’s subplot was one of the things I didn’t like about that film. When I discovered that Logan didn’t receive a subplot in Garage Sale Mysteries: The Mask Murder, I was disappointed. Logan did play a significant role within the aforementioned subplot involving Hannah and Jason, but I was just hoping Logan would obtain a subplot that was better than the last one he was given.

The under-utilization of Ryan: Cory Rempel’s character, Ryan, was introduced in the previous Garage Sale Mystery film as Hannah’s friend who later became her boyfriend. When I, as an audience member, learned that Ryan was a police officer, I thought that he would assist Jennifer in solving various mysteries in upcoming Garage Sale Mystery films. Unfortunately, this was not the case in Garage Sale Mysteries: The Mask Murder. Not only that, he wasn’t really a part of the subplot featuring Hannah and Jason either. Toward the end of the film, Ryan did express interest in becoming a detective, so I’m hoping that he can play an integral role when it comes to solving each film’s mystery.

Not enough clues: Within all of the mystery series on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, each film has a certain number of clues that help the protagonist and the authorities solve each respective film’s case. In Garage Sale Mysteries: The Mask Murder, however, I felt there were not enough clues to satisfy the story. A good amount of statements from witnesses and suspects were provided in this film, but few items that were incorporated in this movie were actually identified as clues. When I think about this movie, I can only think of five or less clues from this film’s case, such as a mask and a hat.

OKLG790 — Detective work image created by Photoroyalty at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/investigation-background-design_1041877.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/background”>Background vector created by Photoroyalty – Freepik.com</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

My overall impression:

This was a much better film than Garage Sale Mysteries: The Pandora’s Box Murders! When it comes to movie line-ups, whether they appear on Hallmark Channel or Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, the first movie is, sometimes, the weakest entry. This was definitely the case for Hailey Dean Mystery Month, where the first movie was decent, but the rest of the movies got stronger as the month went on. Last year’s Garage Sale Mystery Month experienced the same issue. Garage Sale Mystery: The Beach Murder was, to me, the weakest out of those four films. The other three movies became much more enjoyable throughout the month of August. While we’re on the subject of Garage Sale Mysteries: The Mask Murder, there was one scene where Jennifer went to a movie theater named Hollywood 3 Cinemas. For a while, I’ve wanted to see a Garage Sale Mystery movie that focused on either movie memorabilia or had a mystery centered around a movie theater. After seeing that scene in this latest Garage Sale Mystery film, it made me want to see a movie themed mystery film even more! If more films continue to be created in the Garage Sale Mystery series, maybe my wish will, one day, come true.

Overall score: 7.6 out of 10

Are you enjoying Garage Sale Mystery Month so far? What type of location would you like to see featured in a future Garage Sale Mystery film? Share your thoughts in the comment section!

Have fun at the movies!

Sally Silverscreen

Take 3: Love at Sea Review

On August 12, 2018 By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

It’s been a month since I reviewed a Hallmark Channel movie. This gave me a good excuse to watch and review Love at Sea! When I found out the movie’s plot would take place on a cruise ship, I immediately became excited for the film’s arrival! Hallmark does not often incorporate cruises into their movies. The only other Hallmark movie that featured a cruise in their film’s plot was The Mystery Cruise. If you read my list of the Top 10 Worst Hallmark Movies of All Time, you would remember that The Mystery Cruise was placed in the Top 5 (that’s how much I didn’t like that film). For Love at Sea, however, I watched the movie with an open mind and hoped for the best. Did this movie swim with success or sink with a low score? Hop on board and set sail to my review of Love at Sea!

Love at Sea poster — *Love at Sea* poster created by Crown Media Family Networks and Hallmark Channel. Image found at https://www.crownmediapress.com/Shows/PRShowDetail?SiteID=142&FeedBoxID=845&NodeID=302&ShowType=&ShowTitle=Love+at+Sea.

Things I liked about the film:

The acting: I thought the acting in Love at Sea was fine. The performance that really impressed me was Carlos PenaVega’s! The role that he was given felt like it was the right fit for his acting abilities, highlighting his acting skills and helping him shine as much as possible. Carlos’ portrayal of Tony felt believable, his reactions and emotions appeared natural on-screen. Though this is only his second lead role in a Hallmark movie, Carlos has quickly become an important member of the Hallmark community. Carlos, from a talent perspective, definitely has what it takes to lead more Hallmark productions to come!

The incorporation of Royal Caribbean: Love at Sea was the first Hallmark movie that has ever been filmed on a real-life cruise ship. Because the story and film’s production took place on Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of the Seas, there was bound to be product placement featured throughout the film. However, the way the Royal Caribbean brand was incorporated into the film didn’t feel like Hallmark was trying to sell a product. Instead, it felt like the movie was making their audience aware of the particular product. There were only a few times when the company or cruise ship name was mentioned by any of the characters. While there were several items with the Royal Caribbean logo on them, they didn’t receive special attention and were showcased in a way that felt natural with what might be seen on a name brand cruise.

Carlos’ singing performance: Before Carlos joined the Hallmark family, I knew that he was a former member of the singing group, Big Time Rush. Prior to this film, I had never heard Carlos sing in a solo performance before. When he performed Frankie Valli’s “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” in Love at Sea, I was blown away by how wonderful Carlos’ performance was! I hope that if Carlos is cast in another Hallmark Christmas movie, he gets the chance to sing a Christmas song within that film!

134512-OSIIVF-935 — Cruise ship near an island image created by Freepik at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/holiday-background-on-a-cruise_1182003.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/background”>Background vector created by Freepik</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

What I didn’t like about the film:

The miscasting of the lead: While watching Love at Sea, I could tell that Alexa PenaVega was trying the best she could with the acting material she was provided. However, there were a few moments where her performance felt more emotionally exaggerated than it could have been. It seemed like this was the result of the role not being the right fit for Alexa’s acting abilities. Alexa is a good actress and she has proven in the past that she, talent wise, has what it takes to lead a Hallmark production. But, I think this role should have been given to another actress or it should have been rewritten to compliment Alexa’s acting talents.

Lack of on-screen chemistry: In last year’s Hallmark Christmas movie, Enchanted Christmas, one of the best parts about that film was the on-screen chemistry between Alexa and Carlos. In Love at Sea, however, Alexa and Carlos’ on-screen chemistry was non-existent. Both Alexa and Carlos are good actors, individually and as a couple. But, I never felt like their characters were falling in love. There wasn’t any on-screen chemistry between Alexa and Edward Finlay either, even though both of them are good actors.

The plot: There were several issues I had with this plot. The first issue is the story surrounding Alexandra’s event. Whenever any of the characters brought this subject up, I found myself feeling bored and uninterested. Another issue with this plot was how confusing some parts of it seemed. I was confused with what Alexandra’s niche was supposed to be. Some of the characters in Love at Sea mentioned that Alexandra was a Youtuber, but I was having a difficult time figuring out why, exactly, she was well known. I also didn’t understand why an individual rising Youtube star, like Alexandra, would need to host a large cruise-wide event. An issue that appeared more than once in this plot was having events announced by one of the characters, but the event not being featured in the film. A good example is the anticipated cooking competition, where only the final results from this event were shown in the movie, despite the building anticipation for the competition for about half the film.

The under-utilization of the cruise itself: Love at Sea was not only the second Hallmark movie that incorporated a cruise into their film’s plot, but the first time a Hallmark movie was filmed on a real-life cruise ship. Because of this, there were several creative avenues this story could have traveled on. Carlos’ character, Tony, says that he likes making a positive impact on people’s lives and meeting guests from around the world. Unfortunately, the story feels so isolated and closed off from the cruise itself, that it takes away any chances for the audience to get to know and experience the various characters and stories that could have been included in this film’s plot. What would be interesting is a cruise themed movie with a storyline like The Christmas Hope, where there are multiple characters with interconnected stories.

Unnecessary side characters and subplots: As I’ve mentioned before, Edward Finlay is a good actor. In fact, I really liked Edward’s performance in Love at Sea! But it felt like his character, Miles, was placed in this movie just for the sake of being there. Also, Miles didn’t receive his own subplot. Two side characters that did receive their own subplot were Maeve (portrayed by Audrey Landers) and Wes (portrayed by William R. Moses), but it was weaker than the other plots and felt unnecessary within the overall story.

324763-P9GQAH-114 — Cruise vacation items created by Freepik at freepik.com. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/summer”>Summer vector created by Freepik</a>. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/summer-elements-collection-in-flat-style_2345793.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

My overall impression:

Love at Sea was a disappointing film. Hallmark had so many opportunities and creative choices to make a film that was intriguing and memorable, especially when they had a cruise ship as a backdrop. However, they missed the boat (no pun intended) as well as all the possibilities at their disposal. I am always excited when Hallmark makes creative choices that are unique and interesting, so it’s disappointing when these creative choices don’t reach their full potential. As a Hallmark fan, I do feel that both networks try their best when it comes to making movies. But, not every movie on either network can be a winner. I am looking forward to Carlos and Alexa’s next Hallmark project, whatever that may be! All I hope is that their next movie is given a better story from start to finish.

Overall score: 5.6 out of 10

Have you seen Love at Sea? Are you enjoying Hallmark’s “Summer Nights” line-up so far? Tell me what you think in the comment section!

Have fun at the movies!

Sally Silverscreen

Word on the Street: Hallmark Channel’s “Christmas In Evergreen” will likely receive a sequel

On August 10, 2018August 10, 2018 By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

With Hallmark releasing over 30 movies this Christmas season, there is bound to be a sequel somewhere in the mix. While Crown Media Family Networks has not revealed an official list of the upcoming Christmas movies on their website, Hallmark has recently mentioned at least one of these films. On Hallmark’s corporate website, there is a special page titled “Celebrate the Holidays with Hallmark”. While scrolling through the page, three interesting Christmas themed products are listed: a North Pole Mailbox, a Santa Key in Box, and an Evergreen Water Globe. According to Hallmark, these items will be featured in their upcoming film, Christmas in Evergreen: Letters to Santa. There are two observations that I have found that point to this movie possibly being a sequel to the 2017 film, Christmas in Evergreen. The first is that the snow globe on Hallmark’s corporate website looks exactly like the wishing snow globe that was featured in the first film. The second is on the “In Production” page on the website, Creative BC. This particular page has the movie listed as “Christmas In Evergreen 2”. As of August 2018, Hallmark has not released an official press release or premiere date for the film. However, Hallmark Channel does have a preview special for their upcoming Christmas films in October, so Christmas in Evergreen: Letters to Santa could get mentioned by the host.

Christmas In Evergreen poster — *Christmas In Evergreen* poster created by Crown Media Family Networks and Hallmark Channel. Image found at https://www.crownmediapress.com/Shows/PRShowDetail?SiteID=142&FeedBoxID=845&NodeID=302&ShowType=&ShowTitle=Christmas%20In%20Evergreen&IsSeries=False.

When I first found out about this upcoming film, I will admit that it was a bit of a head-scratcher for me. Out of all the 2017 Hallmark Christmas movies that had the potential to receive a sequel, Christmas in Evergreen was, in my opinion, one of the least likely. I did watch the film for the first time during Hallmark Channel’s “Christmas Keepsake” marathon and, honestly, I thought it was a decent movie. Christmas in Evergreen wasn’t one of my favorites from last year’s “Countdown to Christmas” line-up, but I would give the movie an Honorable Mention. Also, the way the story wraps up at the end of the film doesn’t seem to leave much room for a potential sequel. A concern that I have for Christmas in Evergreen: Letters to Santa is the movie feeling less like a movie and more like a commercial for Hallmark products. When I discovered the three Christmas themed products on Hallmark’s corporate website (the North Pole Mailbox, the Santa Key in Box, and the Evergreen Water Globe), it reminded me of when Hallmark sold Christmas themed products that correlated with the film, Northpole. Anyone who has read my Top 10 Worst Hallmark Movies of All Time list would know how much I don’t like that film. One of the reasons why that film didn’t work, for me, was because Northpole felt more like a commercial attempting to showcase Christmas themed merchandise to a younger audience. Besides the Evergreen Water Globe, the significance of the North Pole Mailbox and the Santa Key in Box are unknown at this time because Hallmark hasn’t released an official synopsis for Christmas in Evergreen: Letters to Santa. Because we are two months away from the start of both of Hallmark’s Christmas movie line-ups, it’s likely that Crown Media Family Networks will make an official announcement for the film sometime in the near future.

What are your thoughts about this potential sequel? Are you a fan of Christmas in Evergreen? Please tell me what you think in the comment section!

Have fun at the movies!

Sally Silverscreen

Here is a link to the page where you can find the Christmas themed products I mentioned in this post and the short statement about Christmas in Evergreen: Letters to Santa: https://corporate.hallmark.com/holiday2018-2/

Here is a link to the “In Production” page on Creative BC’s website: https://www.creativebc.com/crbc-services/motion-picture-services/in-production/films.php?type=mow (if you visit this page after September 7th, “Christmas In Evergreen 2” may be taken off this list)

Take 3: Garage Sale Mysteries: The Pandora’s Box Murders Review

On August 6, 2018August 6, 2018 By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

With the start of August also comes the start of Garage Sale Mystery Month! In honor of this joyous occasion, I have decided to review all four Garage Sale Mystery films, starting with Garage Sale Mysteries: The Pandora’s Box Murders! The Garage Sale Mystery series is one of my favorite series on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries. For five years, this series has been consistent when it comes to talent, quality, and intrigue. The idea of having a protagonist incorporate detective work with something that is near and dear to their heart (in Jennifer’s case, garage sale shopping) is something that Hallmark has quickly capitalized on, creating more mystery movies on the network that follow a similar formula. When the first Garage Sale Mystery Month took place last August, it not only helped the Garage Sale Mystery series remain one of the biggest staples on the network, but it also helped the other series on Hallmark Movie & Mysteries gain the opportunities to grow. One recent example is the Hailey Dean Mystery Month in June. Now that I said everything I wanted to about the Garage Sale Mystery series, let’s finally begin this review of Garage Sale Mysteries: The Pandora’s Box Murders!

GSM Pandora's Box Murders poster — *Garage Sale Mysteries: The Pandora’s Box Murders* poster created by Crown Media Family Networks and Hallmark Movies & Mysteries. Image found at https://www.hallmarkchannelpress.com/Shows/PRShowDetail?SiteID=143&FeedBoxID=845&NodeID=302&ShowType=&ShowTitle=Garage+Sale+Mysteries+The+Pandora%27s+Box+Murders.

Things I liked about the film:

The acting: This latest film in the Garage Sale Mystery series has a good cast! Everyone’s character portrayals were very well done, with each actor providing a good amount of versatility to their specific role. Lori Loughlin’s acting talents have always been a highlight to this series! As a fan of When Calls the Heart, I feel that Lori has “star power” in the Hallmark community, shining brightly in each and every Hallmark production she appears in. Another star from this film (who also happens to appear on When Calls the Heart) that has a delightful on-screen presence is Eva Bourne. After first seeing her appear on When Calls the Heart in the show’s second season, I have always been impressed with her acting abilities. Eva’s portrayal of Hannah Shannon has been consistently good, adding more talent to an already talented cast! As of August 2018, Eva has only appeared in the Garage Sale Mystery series and the When Calls the Heart show/movies. I hope that Eva can be cast in more Hallmark movies, maybe even a Hallmark Christmas movie besides the annual When Calls the Heart production.

The mystery: In Garage Sale Mysteries: The Pandora’s Box Murders, there were two murder mysteries that were correlated to each other. Also, a mystery surrounding a beloved puzzle box was featured within the film’s main plot. The addition of this puzzle box was intriguing because it gave the audience an interesting piece of the story to focus on besides the murder mystery itself. It also added a new element to this series, as puzzles are typically not featured in the mystery series on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries. The puzzle box plot was creative and engaging.

The humor: A murder mystery is almost always the prime focus in the mystery series on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries. This is no different for the Garage Sale Mystery series. An element that has been consistent in Garage Sale Mystery is the incorporation of humor. The amount of humor within Garage Sale Mysteries: The Pandora’s Box Murders and throughout the Garage Sale Mystery series has been enough to not make the overall tone of the series feel like “doom and gloom” but still recognize the seriousness of each murder case. Whether it is the friendly banter between Jennifer and Tramell or a humorous comment one of the characters make during a more light-hearted moment, the use of comedy in the Garage Sale Mystery adds charm and personality to this series.

cool business-woman with puzzle cube — Woman solving wooden puzzle photo created by Asier_relampagoestudio at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/woman-with-suit-resolving-a-wooden-intelligence-game_1023902.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/business”>Business image created by Asier_relampagoestudio – Freepik.com</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

What I didn’t like about the film:

The start time of the mystery: In Garage Sale Mysteries: The Pandora’s Box Murders, the puzzle box was introduced within the first 20 minutes of the film. However, the murder mystery didn’t start until about 21 minutes after the film began. If you read my review for Aurora Teagarden Mysteries: The Disappearing Game, you would remember that 10 to 15 minutes is what I think is the ideal start time for a mystery. The sooner the mystery starts, the sooner the audience can join the protagonist to help solve the case.

The subplots: While Jennifer was busy starring on a reality tv show and solving three mysteries, both of her children were given their own subplot. Hannah met a police officer who ended up becoming her boyfriend. After experiencing a fender bender, Logan takes responsible for his mistake. These subplots weren’t bad, they just didn’t spark as much intrigue as the mysteries themselves.

A slower pace: In the Garage Sale Mystery series, the films usually have a faster pace. This helps the mystery’s suspense and intrigue remain consistent throughout the film. In the latest Garage Sale Mystery film, the pace was on the slower side, making scenes and stories feel drawn out.

My overall impression:

Garage Sale Mysteries: The Pandora’s Box Murders was a decent start to Garage Sale Mystery Month. Because there are three more movies yet to premiere, I hope the rest of the movies get stronger as the month goes on. Garage Sale Mystery was the pioneering series of month-long storytelling, with no other mystery series attempting to release back-to-back films until Garage Sale Mystery Month started last August. Since 2013, the Garage Sale Mystery series has only gotten stronger, with more stories left to tell and more mysteries left to solve. One could say that this series opened the doors for the other mystery series that would come in later years, like the Murder She Baked series and one of the newer series, Darrow & Darrow. As Hallmark Movies & Mysteries continues to create more mystery series, let us not forget that Garage Sale Mysteries the series that, essentially, started it all.

Overall score: 7 out of 10

Have you seen the Garage Sale Mystery films? Are you excited for Garage Sale Mystery Month? Please tell me what you think in the comment section!

Have fun at the movies!

Sally Silverscreen

Word on the Street: Hallmark announces release date and synopsis for upcoming movie “Love in Design”

On August 5, 2018 By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

A few days ago, I reported in a Word on the Street post that a Hallmark movie titled Love Under the Rainbow was on the way. Now, another Hallmark movie looks like it’s just around the corner! On August 1st, a press release was posted on Crown Media Family Networks’ website announcing the upcoming Hallmark Channel film, Love in Design. In this press release, it was revealed that this new movie will premiere on September 15th. The film’s official synopsis was also included in the press release. You can read the synopsis by visiting this link: https://www.crownmediapress.com/PressReleaseList/?SiteID=142&NodeID=144 (look for the press release titled “Love in Design – 08/01/18” or “DANICA MCKELLAR AND ANDREW W. WALKER STAR IN ‘LOVE IN DESIGN’ PREMIERING SEPTEMBER 15, ON HALLMARK CHANNEL”)

125292-OQSEFQ-610 — Living room interior image created by Freepik at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/house-s-living-room-with-flat-design_1195527.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/design”>Design vector created by Freepik</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

The plot of the film doesn’t sound much different from the usual content Hallmark makes. It, honestly, sounds a little like Cooking with Love mixed with Love, Once and Always. As much as I liked both of those films (Cooking with Love is one of the few movies that have received a perfect score on my blog), I just hope Love in Design doesn’t feel too much like rehashed material. I know it’s inevitable for stories to get repeated over time, but I celebrate Hallmark incorporating creativity and originality into stories that are “tried and true”. I’ve enjoyed most of Danica McKellar’s and Andrew Walker’s movies, so it’ll be nice to see them star in another Hallmark production! There is no official word yet on whether Love in Design will premiere within Hallmark’s “Fall Harvest” line-up. Whenever Hallmark does release their complete “Fall Harvest” line-up, I will make sure to talk about it on 18 Cinema Lane!

182361-OWOO51-765 — Breakfast tray image created by Freepik at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/composed-healthy-fruit-and-coffee-on-tray_1441643.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/background”>Background image created by Freepik</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

Have you read Crown Media Family Network’s press release? What are your thoughts on Love in Design? Share your thoughts in the comment section!

Have fun at the movies!

Sally Silverscreen